11 minute read
Reasons to Bragg
Inside the walls of the Bragg Media and Entertainment Building, students passing to and fro might just include a shooting star (or two) already making waves on the international music scene
As MTSU students headed back to school this fall, there were a few in the College of Media and Entertainment who had to divide their time between going to classes and activities like going on stage at the Opry or spending time in the studio with rapper Drake. Meanwhile, a recent Media and Entertainment graduate was beginning to use her newfound international fame to fashion a music career with staying power.
With music mecca Nashville a short drive up the highway, and with MTSU’s entrenched reputation as one of the best music business schools in the nation, it’s not all that unusual to have students enrolled in the college who are either already established professionally in the world of entertainment or on the cusp of stardom or professional success. That said, the three students (or former students) profiled here are especially conspicuous in that way, “moonlighting” as some of music’s hottest up-and-coming artists, writers, and producers.
HunterGirl flies high as American Idol runner-up
Before she punched her ticket to Hollywood, American Idol Season 20 runner-up HunterGirl left home and traveled up the road to hone her craft in MTSU’s acclaimed Recording Industry program.
The alumna, Hunter Wolkonowski (’20), a 23-year-old singer-songwriter from Winchester, made a return trip to her native Franklin County in advance of the May 2022 season finale, where she debuted her original song, “Red Bird.”
Wearing a metallic red dress and playing guitar on the show’s finale, she evoked tears, cheers, and a standing ovation from the studio audience, her family, and superstar judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan.
“You’re not a star, you’re a supernova. . . . American Idol ends tonight, but your career is gonna be forever,” Perry said. “You have your wings.”
At her hometown visit, some 500 fans endured the hot sun in front of the Oldham Theatre on Winchester’s public square as HunterGirl basked in the love and support of her fellow Franklin Countians.
MTSU’s Beverly Keel, dean of the College of Media and Entertainment, and Odie Blackmon, hit songwriter and coordinator of the Commercial Songwriting program, presented HunterGirl with an honorary professorship from her alma mater.
“As you inspire millions of young men and women across America, you remind us that the voices of small-town America are vital to this country,” Keel said. “You’re teaching us to listen to our hearts, stay true to who we are, and celebrate our uniqueness.”
Earning her degree with a Music Business concentration, HunterGirl took a songwriting class from Blackmon in 2019. He praised her humility and her authenticity.
“I found her voice to be unique, and then Hunter distinguished herself by being a very generous co-writer and fellow student,” Blackmon said. “She came [to MTSU] to work on her craft and her skills, but she knew who she was.”
Blackmon also praised HunterGirl for continuing to work with military veterans, using her music as therapy. She participated in MTSU’s Operation Song project as a student, and as a staff writer for Freedom Sings’ Chattanooga offices, she founded that organization’s all-female veterans songwriting class.
HunterGirl entered the American Idol grand finale in the top three before advancing into the final two with eventual winner Noah Thompson. “Thanks for believing in me,” she said on the finale, later adding, “I think I’ve grown more this year than I ever have in my entire life.”
HunterGirl co-wrote “Red Bird” with friends Austin Goodloe and Matt McKinney after a red bird—a sign since she was little—flew past her window while she was driving to her parents’ house on the evening of the first episode.
She must have closed her eyes and made a wish.
—by Gina E. Fann and Carol Stuart
Rising junior balances rocketing hip-hop career with homework
Rising-star hip-hop producer Kevin Davis Jr., known professionally as KJ Let the Beat Knock, grew up along the banks of the Loosahatchie River in the agricultural flats of west Tennessee.
In fact, the Loosahatchie bisects his hometown of Somerville on its way to joining the Mississippi River not far from the FedEx Forum, where last year the Memphis Grizzlies basketball team won its franchise-first division championship.
Even when Davis isn’t seated courtside, the 20-year-old rising junior’s presence can be felt. After all, Davis produced the fan-favorite raucous hype music that pumps up the crowd and players alike prior to tipoff.
For the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Davis produced Memphis rapper Big30’s song “King of My Projects” at the request of the Grizzlies’ front office.
“Hearing my work get played at a Grizzlies game was actually a big moment for me,” Davis said. “My hometown was shocked when they heard the anthem being played during the NBA playoffs. To be honest, it was one of those moments that reminded me I’ve got to keep going and never be complacent.”
Davis, who also goes by DJ KJ, began his musical career at the tender age of 3 in church, where he played the drums. By the ninth grade, he added another percussion instrument to his repertoire: piano. He was simultaneously honing his producing skills by making beats for artists within his community. His work caught the ear of Marcus Howell, who signed him as a producer to NLess Entertainment while Davis was still a senior in high school. Davis is managed by Kadeem Phillips through Power Management.
Last fall, Davis’ reputation—and career—shot off like a rocket with production credits on Big30’s King of Killbranch mixtape (Interscope Records), which reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hip Hop/Rap chart. He also produced songs on albums by other artists that also charted in the Top 20.
These successes quickly led Davis to working with some of the world’s most recognized talents within the rap genre, including Drake, Moneybagg Yo, and Offset.
And, for good measure, Davis hinted he may or may not be heading into a project with another hip-hop megastar.
“We got stuff in the mix,” Davis said. “But you never know about those rich guys. But I’m praying!”
Davis credits his stepfather, Steven Harwell, for instilling him with a strong work ethic.
“He is the reason I go so hard at what I do. He once told me I’ve got to get off the couch. He said I need to go do something. Then my granddad helped me make a studio out of a shed in his backyard. I was cutting everybody on the football and basketball teams. I [produced] probably 30 people for free. Then I got really good and began working professionally. They still call me [to produce them]. But I have to say no.”
Despite firmly establishing himself as an in-demand talent, Davis knew he wanted a well-rounded educational experience. After a COVID-hampered stint attending the Nashville campus of the SAE Institute, he enrolled at MTSU. Davis had heard good things about its heralded Recording Industry program.
“My sister had just graduated [from MTSU] with a degree in Psychology,” he said. “So, I talked with my parents and [MTSU alumnus and Grammy-nominated producer] Tay Keith, too. He helped guide me.”
The rising junior plans to enter the Recording Industry program once he’s cleared his core curriculum work.
“It’s a very competitive major, and you’ve got to make certain grades in certain classes. I’m still not in it. [Dean] Beverly Keel makes sure that I’m staying focused and balancing the music and the education at the same time.”
—by Skip Anderson
Junior Jaelee Roberts juggles her surging career with studies
Junior Commercial Songwriting major Jaelee Roberts knew her childhood had elements that were unconventional. But she wouldn’t fully appreciate them until she embarked upon a career in music as a teenager.
Roberts’ parents are well-known Music Row insiders. Her father, Danny, is a founding member of the Grammynominated bluegrass band the Grascals, and her mother, Andrea, is an influential booking agent and manager. Like her husband, she too is an accomplished musician.
“My mom is a really, really good bass player,” Roberts said. “My mom had a successful band before I was born called Petticoat Junction. Plus, she was the only woman to fill in with Bill Monroe and perform with the Bluegrass Boys at the Grand Ole Opry.”
This, naturally, afforded Roberts an informed look at the music industry from the inside out.
“Being a singer-songwriter is what I’ve always wanted to be. And growing up seeing my dad and mom do exactly what I want to do helped shape me,” Roberts said. “Charlie Daniels gave me one of his fiddle bows when I ran into him backstage. And later that night, I was walking down the hallway with the bow, and I see Wynonna [Judd]. She bent down and high-fived me and said, ‘Girl power! Never stop what you’re doing.’ ”
Another time, Hank Williams Jr. gave her the alligator-tooth necklace off his neck.
“I still have it,” she said. “It’s up in my room as decoration.”
Throughout her childhood, this multi-instrumentalist played in fiddle contests and performed in clogging exhibitions. But her dreams of being a flautist were deflated before she played her first note.
“I got to middle school, and I wanted to play the flute. Flutes use the same musical notes as the fiddle,” she said, explaining part of her attraction to the woodwind.
“My teacher rejected me, saying my jaw wasn’t right. I play several instruments, but I definitely don’t play the flute. Those dreams were crushed.”
Roberts splits her time between being a student at MTSU and performing with the Grammy-nominated, all-female bluegrass band Sister Sadie as a guitarist and vocalist.
The band, which released its first album in 2019, won the prestigious Entertainer of the Year in 2020 and Vocal Group of the Year in 2021 from the International Bluegrass Music Association. As an individual, Roberts captured the Momentum Vocalist of the Year award, and frequently plays in what is inarguably one of country music’s most-revered touchstones.
“I just can’t put into words how great it is to get to play the Grand Ole Opry regularly,” the Murfreesboro native said.
Roberts is carving out a solo career. In May, she released her debut album, Something You Didn’t Count On which is a shining collection of original songs, masterful musicianship, and bluegrass reinterpretations of songs by Gram Parsons and Fleetwood Mac.
“I’m a huge Fleetwood Mac fan, and I knew I wanted to cover ‘Landslide,’ ” Roberts said. “I also knew I wanted a harmony on it. My dream was to get Vince Gill to sing with me on it, and my producer made it happen. They sent me a rough mix of the song as I was leaving the Walmart parking lot, and I just started crying. I mean, Vince Gill is singing with me!”
Roberts singles out two faculty members who have been particularly supportive and helpful to her career: Beverly Keel, dean of MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment, and Odie Blackmon, an associate professor within MTSU’s celebrated Recording Industry program.
“A lot of my professors have been amazing, but Beverly Keel has been so extremely helpful to me and encouraging all around,” she said. “Another is Odie Blackmon. He has opened the door for me for so many opportunities, such as getting to sing background vocals live on the CMT Artists of the Year special last fall. That was just the coolest experience. Odie really believes in me. He shows me that so much. Both Odie and Beverly have been huge for my career and showing me how to do it. I couldn’t be more thankful for those two people and MTSU.”
—by Skip Anderson
